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Following a blockade by the UK government, Nexperia has entered into a deal with Vishay Intertechnology for the transfer of the Newport Wafer Fab. “Nexperia would have preferred to continue the long-term strategy it implemented when it acquired the investment-starved fab in 2021 and provided for massive investments in equipment and personnel. However, these investment plans have been cut short by the unexpected and wrongful divestment order made by the UK government in November 2022.”
When Chinese-owned Nexperia acquired the Welsh facility in 2021, the UK government initially had no objections. Following a vocal campaign by Members of Parliament, however, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy used newly adopted legislation to retroactively block the deal, citing national security risks. Nexperia vowed to fight the decision, though apparently it now has resigned to it.
Like Nexperia, US-based Vishay manufactures discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components. It reported sales of 3.5 billion euros in 2022.
